New report reveals link between health care workforce  well being, patient experience, and safety outcomes in hospitals and health systems

12 March 2025

13 million patients and nearly 2 million members of the health care workforce report improvements in safety, care quality and resilience

Hospital and health system patients report improvements in overall care experience and perception of safety alongside gains in key safety outcomes, while the health care workforce is experiencing a post-pandemic rebound, according to new findings from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Press Ganey.

The Insights Report “Improvement in Safety Culture Linked to Better Patient and Staff Outcomes” is powered by Press Ganey data and highlights how hospitals that foster a strong culture of safety also report a better experience for patients and the health care workforce. The report demonstrates continued positive trends for hospitals and health systems outlined in a September 2024 AHA report, which showed  a decrease in adverse patient safety events along with increasing health care screenings — even as hospitals are caring for more higher acuity patients.

Every day in hospitals across America, dedicated care teams strive to deliver safe, high-quality care to every patient. This commitment involves continually identifying what drives better outcomes and then implementing changes to improve patient care,” said AHA President & CEO Rick Pollack. “At the heart of health care are people caring for other people, which is why hospitals support and invest in the success and well-being of their workforce. The latest Press Ganey data highlight that care is getting safer as the experience of both patients and the health care workforce improves.

Key findings from the new Press Ganey data show:

• 13 million patients surveyed after hospital stays report improvements in their overall care experience and perception of safety.
• Surveys of 1.7 million members of the health care workforce show a rebound in their reported experience, resilience and perceptions of safety culture, following the enormous strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Alongside improvements in safety culture, patient experience and employee experience, there were improvements in key safety outcomes like falls and infections — across more than 25,000 units in 2,430 hospitals.

“This report highlights a fundamental truth—safe, high-quality, patient-centered care thrives in a strong culture of safety. When hospitals support both patients and caregivers, safety improves, workforce resilience grows, and patient experiences strengthen,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “The progress so far is encouraging, and by continuing a commitment to high-reliability across every facility and shift, hospitals can build on this momentum and ensure all patients feel safe and supported in their care.”

The full report with more findings can be found on the AHA’s website.

The report is a part of the American Hospital Association’s Patient Safety Initiative to help hospitals and health systems improve the culture of safety. Through the work of the Patient Safety Initiative, hospitals and health systems are using safety improvement strategies with proven success, as well as trying new and innovative approaches to further enhance their work. See the AHA website for stories from hospitals and health systems that are implementing innovative efforts that are advancing patient safety and quality. For more information on the Patient Safety Initiative, visit https://www.aha.org/patientsafety.